Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the Nursing Information page of the Muskegon Community College Nursing Program.  Our Nursing Program is referred to as a “ladder” program which means that both Practical Nursing students seeking the License in Practical Nursing (LPN) and Associate Degree Nursing students seeking the Registered Nurse License (RN) start their courses together. The Practical Nursing program can be completed in four terms (60 weeks) and the Associate Degree program is designed to be completed in six terms (90 weeks). Students may exit after completion of the LPN Program and finish required course work to apply for admission to the Associate Degree Program if seeking the Registered Nurse License.

Please note that this curriculum is designed for full time students (see career ladder ) and consists of 12 credit hours per semester, much of which is laboratory and clinical coursework. If you have significant family or work obligations, we encourage you to take as many of the co-requisite NON-nursing classes as possible (COM, PEA, PSYC, ENG, BIOL, PHIL, ANTH) prior to beginning the NUR course sequence.

ALL STUDENTS must make an appointment with Sylvia Hayes, MCC Counselor, to develop a Nursing course plan (231-777-0362).

How long will I have to wait to start the Nursing courses?

The waiting time varies depending on the number of applicants who have met all requirements for admission.The ready list is updated each Summer and Winter semester. Students on the ready list will be called for admission in the order their names appear on the ready list. If, at the time your name is called circumstances prevent you from beginning the Nursing Program, you may defer your admission.

Once I have applied, how will I know that I am accepted into the Nursing Program?

Prior to applying to the Nursing Program, meet with your counselor (231-777-0362) to ensure that all entry level requirements have been met to be placed on the ready list. Once you have applied and have met all entry requirements, the nursing counselor will place your name on the ready list. You are not officially accepted into the Nursing Program until you are notified by mail that there is a space for you in the next class and you have enrolled for NUR 100 Overview of the Nursing Profession. We attempt to notify students at least one semester ahead of an opening for the NUR 100 class, however if other students defer their admission, the time period may be shorter.

What coursework or testing can I complete while I am waiting on the Ready list?

You are encouraged to take any non-nursing course in the curriculum, subject to the pre-requisites for those courses. For example, take BIOL 105 Anatomy and Physiology I as this is a lab course and can be time consuming.  It will make your course load lighter when you do get into the Nursing Program.  Courses that you can take while waiting for the NUR classes are:

• PSYC 201    -  General Psychology
• COM 100     -  Principles of Communication
• PEA 101A    -  Fitness, Wellness and Nutrition
• BIOL 105     -  Anatomy and Physiology I
• Toledo Chemistry Placement Test or
  • MATH 040 Beginning Algebra 
  • MATH 050   -  Intermediate Algebra
  • *CHEM 100 & 100A Fundamentals of Chemistry (or CHEM 109 & 109A, Chemistry for Health Science)
• *BIOL 106   -  Anatomy and Physiology II
• *BIOL 207   -  Microbiology
• *ENG 101    -  English Composition
• *PEA/DNC Elective
• *PHIL 204    -  Biomedical Ethics
• *ANTH 103  -  Cultural Diversity

         *required for the Associate Degree Nursing Program (RN)

I was recently called for admission to the nursing program, but now I am pregnant and I think I should wait until next year to start the Nursing Program.  Can I defer?

You are allowed two deferrals before you will lose your place on the ready list and are required to reapply to the Nursing Program. If you are mailed a letter or called by admissions for an opening based on your position on the ready list and choose not to come into the nursing class available, you will be allowed to defer to the next class.You may also defer a second time. However, if you defer a second time, you must come into the Program on the third notification or your name will be removed from the ready list and you will be required to reapply. All requirements for your coursework will again be activated and you must revalidate any coursework that is more than eight years old.

What is the 8 year rule?

Any coursework that is older than 8 years must be revalidated in order to demonstrate current competency with the course content. You do not need to retake the course if you pass the competency test. See the nursing counselor regarding appointments with the appropriate Department Chairperson for any course over 8 years old that you need to revalidate. You must have taken the course in order to test for competency.

Why do I have to have a Criminal Background Check?

Michigan Law Section 20173(l) of the Michigan Public Health Code states that “persons with a history of felony or conspiracy to commit a felony within 15 years….or a misdemeanor involving a vulnerable adult or child, or a state or federal crime that is substantially similar to a misdemeanor described in this statement within 10 years”… may not work or be affiliated with certain health care facilities. Students with felony or misdemeanor criminal records would not be able to complete the program of study required for nursing licensure.

I heard that I have to take CPR classes.  Is that part of the Nursing Curriculum?

You will need to submit evidence of current Adult and Child CPR to the Nursing Program Office (room 333) prior to the second term of the Nursing Program. The CPR requirement can be met in one of three ways:

1. Complete HE100A Community First Aid.  You will earn the American Red Cross Adult, Infant, and Child CPR card and a Community First Aid card in this 2 credit course.
2. American Heart Association:  Complete BLS Provider Course (includes Adult and Child)
3. American Red Cross:  Complete both Adult and Child certificates

 *** Current CPR must be maintained throughout the Nursing Program and be valid through each entire semester.

Are there scholarships available for Nursing Students?

Yes, there are many scholarships available to students entering the nursing profession. Requirements vary. You should first complete the FAFSA through the Financial Aid office. Local organizations, hospitals, and health care agencies, and Community Foundations have scholarships available to nursing students. Other sources of nursing scholarships are available on www.discovernursing.com.  There are additional scholarships available for students currently enrolled in nursing (NUR) courses in the Program. These are listed in the MCC Nursing Student Handbook and posted in the Nursing Department. In addition, some of the local healthcare agencies will assist you with tuition reimbursement if you are currently their employee.

Financial Aid information is available in room 100 and will also be offered in CSS 100 College Success Seminar.

What exactly do you do during clinicals?   Where are clinicals?  Do I have a choice?

Clinical experiences are a required part of all nursing education programs. The clinical experiences are 2 or 3 eight hour shifts per week at local health care agencies, generally within a 25 mile radius of the college. You will be caring for patients of all ages and in various stages of health and illness. Students may request clinical placements but many factors are taken into consideration in assigning clinical placements. Generally, clinicals are on the day shift, but occasionally there are evening shift clinical groups.

What is the cost of the Nursing Program?

Nursing students pay the same tuition rates as other students per credit hour, depending on whether the student is “in-district” or “out-of-district”. For all courses with clinical components there are contact in excess of credit hour fees as delineated in the College class schedules. There are also fees for health and liability insurance (see EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES).

My grade in BIOL 105 was a C-.   Why do I need to repeat that course?

In order to progress in the Nursing Program you must have a C (2.0) in all coursework including prerequisite coursework.

I took PSYC 201 at another college and it only transferred to MCC as 2.67 credits.  I need 4 credits of PSYC.  What should I do?

See your counselor as soon as possible.  You may take an independent study to fulfill the requirements of PSYC 201. You cannot progress to the second term of the Nursing Program without the needed PSYC credits.

Will there be an Orientation to the Nursing Program?

Yes, once you have been accepted into a NUR 100 Overview of the Nursing Profession class, there will be a scheduled orientation to the Nursing Program. This will include presentations about the philosophy and organizing framework of the Program, the curriculum, uniforms, Nursing Student Handbooks, and course calendars. Career opportunities in Nursing will be explored in NUR 100

I want to earn my BSN.  Can I do that at Muskegon Community College?

MCC has consortium partners, Ferris State University and Grand Valley State University for RN to BSN Programs. Contact those programs for specific information on BSN completion programs that you could enroll in after you complete your Associate Degree and have your RN License.

What kind of a schedule should I expect in the MCC Nursing Program?

Sample Summer Schedule for TERM 1 (12 credits).   Class days and times vary.

Sample Fall Schedule for TERM 2 (12 Credits). Class days and times vary.  Note: NUR 121 first 7.5 weeks only, NUR 124 & Nur 125 second 7.5 weeks only.

Sample Winter Schedule TERM 3 (12 Credits).  Class days and times vary.